While Americans consume less tea than coffee, Chinese and Japanese populations have been drinking tea for years – especially green tea. The health benefits of green tea are now being examined as a factor in the lower prevalence of some cancers in East Asians as compared with Westerners, as well as differences in body composition between the two groups.

Catechins, antioxidant compounds also found in chocolate and wine, are what seem to provide the health benefits of green tea. Some studies suggest that green tea can prevent cancer, reduce heart disease and delay aging. And green tea can also help you lose weight.

A 2009 study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that drinking green tea instead of other beverages with the same caffeine content resulted in increased weight loss over just a couple of months. You may need to drink more tea each day than the amount of coffee you usually drink to achieve a weight-loss effect. The majority of studies used about four cups a day.

Another benefit of drinking green tea is that you’ll probably consume less sugar and cream (or nondairy creamer) too.